Armrest assembly for a motor vehicle door

ABSTRACT

An armrest assembly for a motor vehicle door provides an armrest that may be positionally adjusted by means of a drive unit and a transfer member which may be displaced along an adjustment direction on activating the drive unit. The armrest may be connected to the drive unit. The position of the armrest in the motor vehicle door may be adjusted in the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the adjusting direction of the armrest.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The invention relates to an armrest assembly for a motor vehicle door according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] An armrest assembly of this kind comprises an armrest which may be adjustable in position, more particularly in its vertical position, by means of a drive unit, and a, more particularly plate-shaped, transfer member which may be displaced along an adjustment direction on activating the drive unit to which the armrest may be connected. The coupling between the drive unit and the transfer member can be produced through gearing through which the transfer member is displaced when the drive unit is activated.

[0003] From DE 40 02 243 A1 a vertically adjustable armrest is known provided on the door of a motor vehicle which has a guide for moving the armrest up and down, and means for fixing the armrest in a desired position. The guide is thereby mounted together with the drive elements of the adjustable armrest on a base plate which is fixed on the inside panel of the door. However there is a problem here in that fixing the base plate of the vertically adjustable armrest on the inside panel of the door also fixes at the same time the position of the armrest relative to the inside trim of the door which as a design element covers the inside panel of the door from the interior space of the vehicle. Since the position of the inside trim in relation to the inside panel of the door has a restricted tolerance this results in different arrangements of the armrest relative to the inside trim which are dependent on tolerance. This has a detrimental effect on the design of a vehicle door.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide an armrest assembly of the type mentioned at the beginning through which the drawbacks mentioned above can be overcome.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention by providing an armrest assembly which has the features of patent claim 1.

[0006] According to this the position of the armrest of the armrest assembly in the vehicle door can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and/or in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as well as perpendicular to the adjusting direction of the armrest.

[0007] Tolerances which exist between the individual structural assemblies of the vehicle door, more particularly between the inside door panel and the inside door trim, can be compensated so that the armrest occupies a defined position relative to the inside trim.

[0008] The solution according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with armrests which have a modular type adjusting mechanism in which the drive unit, the associated gearing as well as the transfer member are mounted on a common support which can be fixed on a vehicle door, more particularly on the inside panel thereof.

[0009] The drive, gearing and transfer member can make up one pre-checkable structural unit which when the drive unit is activated generates an adjusting movement of the transfer member without this modular unit already being installed in the vehicle door.

[0010] The adjusting mechanism of the armrest can then be pre-fitted complete on a support and checked for functional reliability away from a vehicle door.

[0011] After the adjusting mechanism has been installed in a vehicle door the position of the adjustable armrest which can be connected to the transfer member either before or after the adjusting mechanism has been installed in the vehicle door, is then adjusted so that a defined predeterminable position of the armrest relative to the inside door trim is then produced.

[0012] Adjusting the position of the armrest relative to the inside door trim is thereby carried out so that the armrest can be displaced vertically without the inside trim becoming curved through contact with the armrest. At the same time the clearances between the armrest and inside door trim are set so that they remain out of sight as much as possible from the vehicle occupant.

[0013] A guide extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and in which the armrest engages by a guide element preferably serves to adjust the position of the armrest in said direction.

[0014] The guide element can be for example a connecting element through which the armrest is connected to the transfer member which can be displaced in order to adjust the height of the armrest.

[0015] The connecting element preferably extends in a spacer element which is connected to the armrest, more particularly is moulded in one piece with same, and which can be moved together with the connecting element in the aforementioned guide in the vehicle longitudinal direction. An additional or alternative possibility for adjustment in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided if the connecting element is movable in the spacer element in the vehicle longitudinal direction so that the armrest can be positionally adjusted relative to the transfer member in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0016] The guide which is provided for adjusting the armrest in the vehicle longitudinal direction extends in the inner trim of the door and is preferably provided at its edge with a guide frame which can have particularly good sliding properties. The transfer member on the one hand and the armrest on the other are arranged either side of the inside door trim so that the guide extends between the transfer member and armrest.

[0017] Adjusting the position of the armrest perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the adjusting direction of the armrest is preferably carried out by means of an elastically deformable element which can be disposed for example between the inside door trim and the transfer member or between the inside door trim and the armrest.

[0018] Through the deformation of this elastic element which can be for example a spring or rubber element it is possible to adjust the distance between the armrest and where applicable the transfer member and the inside door trim whereby the deformation of the elastic element is preferably undertaken at the same time by actuating the connecting element through which the armrest is connected to the transfer member. For this purpose the connecting element can act on the elastic element for example through the spacer element which surrounds the connecting element.

[0019] Furthermore guide rails on which the transfer member is guided can be provided on the support plate on which the adjusting mechanism of the armrest can be prefitted. In order to accommodate the drive motor the support can have a trough which surrounds the drive at least in part. The gearing which transfers the drive force of the motor to the transfer member has at least one gearing part which can be moved along the guide rail and which can advantageously be mounted in a space enclosed by the guide rail. Fixing means provided on the gearing part are used to fix the transfer member which is guided in turn along the guide rails by means of suitable sliders. The gearing can be for example a spindle or rack and pinion gearing which couples the drive to the transfer member.

[0020] A method for assembling an armrest assembly in a vehicle door is characterised by the features of patent claim 30.

[0021] According to this the armrest of the armrest structural assembly is adjusted relative to the inside door trim in the vehicle longitudinal direction and/or in a second direction perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction as well as perpendicular to the adjusting direction of the armrest.

[0022] The adjustment in the vehicle longitudinal direction is preferably undertaken by means of a guide provided for this purpose and extending in this direction whilst the adjustment in the second direction is undertaken by deformation of an elastic element provided for this purpose.

[0023] Further features and advantages of the invention will now be explained with reference to the following description of an embodiment illustrated in the drawings in which:

[0024]FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an adjusting mechanism for an armrest;

[0025]FIGS. 1b-1 d show three different views of the adjusting mechanism of FIG. 1a;

[0026]FIG. 2 shows a first modification of the adjusting mechanism of FIGS. 1a-1 d;

[0027]FIG. 3 shows a second modification of the adjusting mechanism of FIGS. 1a-1 d;

[0028]FIG. 4 shows a third modification of the adjusting mechanism of FIGS. 1a-1 d;

[0029]FIG. 5 shows a fourth modification of the adjusting mechanism of FIGS. 1a-1 d;

[0030]FIG. 6 shows an embodiment for a manual drive of a vertically adjustable armrest;

[0031]FIG. 7 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 6 as regards the actuating element of the manual drive;

[0032]FIG. 8 shows a sectional view through a fixing area between armrest and a transfer member of the adjusting mechanism;

[0033]FIG. 9a shows a cross-sectional view through the fixing area according to FIG. 8;

[0034]FIG. 9b shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 9a;

[0035]FIG. 10 shows a sectional view through a fixing area according to FIG. 9b;

[0036]FIG. 11 shows a fixing area near a card pocket of a vehicle door;

[0037]FIG. 12 shows a detail of FIG. 7;

[0038]FIGS. 13a/13 b show two different views of an inside door trim;

[0039]FIG. 14 shows the inside door trim according to FIGS. 13a and 13 b with built-in armrest.

[0040]FIGS. 13a and 13 b show a rear view (seen from the inside door panel) and a front view (seen from inside the vehicle) respectively of an inside door trim I which is used to cover and line the inside panel of the vehicle door from the inner space of the vehicle. The inside door trim I has on its reverse side two spacer elements D which are supported by their end sides facing away from the inside trim on the inside door panel or on a base plate connected to the inside panel when the inside door trim I is fixed on the inside door panel. The distance between the inside door trim and inside door panel is hereby fixed. The spacer elements D are hollow cylindrical so that fixing screws can be passed through same to fix the inside door trim on the inside door panel.

[0041] The inside door trim I furthermore has a clearance F which enables the armrest to be fitted. Underneath the clearance F there are fixing sites B for fixing a decor strip on the inside door panel 1.

[0042]FIG. 14 shows the inside door trim in a view according to FIG. 13b after fixing an armrest assembly having an armrest A which has a grab indent G. Furthermore a switch block S is mounted in front of the armrest A through which electrical function components of the vehicle such as for example electric window lifters or electric seat adjusters can be operated.

[0043] Underneath the armrest A there is a decor strip Z fixed on the inside door trim 1. Underneath the decor strip Z there are a card pocket K and speaker cover L.

[0044] Details of the armrest assembly will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 1a to 12, the assembly having a height-adjustable armrest A (i.e. adjustable along the vertical vehicle axis z), as well as possibilities for adjusting the armrest A relative to the inside door trim I along the predetermined directions x,y.

[0045]FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an adjusting mechanism for an armrest as a pre-fitted structural unit which is designed for use in a door box of a motor vehicle door and which is fixed through several fixing sites 10 on the inside door panel or a base plate (door module support) which is connectable therewith. FIGS. 1b-1 d show the rear view, side view and plan view of the structural unit of FIG. 1a which can be used to adjust the height of an armrest substantially along the vertical vehicle axis (z-axis).

[0046] A one-piece base element 1 whose edge areas are shaped as guide rails 1 a, 1 b and are connected together through a web 1 c which is angled several times to accommodate the motor 4 makes up the support of the structural unit. Reduction gears 41 are mounted in the guide rails 1 a, 1 b so that a spindle 42 can be adjusted vertically along the relevant guide rail 1 a. The driving force of the motor 4 is transferred from each drive shaft 40 to the gearing 1 whereby the drive shafts 40 can be inserted through a slot area of the base element 1 until they reach their ideal position.

[0047] A support plate 2′ (shown transparently in FIG. 1a) on which the armrest is to be fitted and which serves as a transfer member for transferring an adjusting movement of the spindle to the armrest is guided by means of sliders 3 along the adjusting path on the guide rails 1 a, 1 b. Introducing the adjusting force from the spindles 42 into the support plate 2′ is through the fixing sites 43.

[0048] If stable guide conditions are ensured along the adjusting path then the adjustment can also be carried out by only one spindle mounted roughly centrally between the guide rails 1 a, 1 b. A rack and pinion combination can also be used as an alternative in place of a spindle.

[0049] The structure described is characterised by high rigidity, the ability to precheck all functioning parameters of the adjusting mechanism outside of the vehicle door and—as a result of the symmetrical construction—by its ability to be used for left and right hand doors. Furthermore the support plate 2′ which in the installed state faces inwards (towards the inside of the vehicle) and which covers the structural components of the adjusting mechanism ensures that in the event of a side impact crash it guards against the penetration of sharp edges and the like. Correspondingly the adjusting mechanism should be mounted as deep as possible inside the door.

[0050] If the corresponding vehicle is equipped with an electronic memory device for starting up stored setting parameters then in addition to the positions for the seat, mirror and steering wheel different positions for the armrest can also be started up automatically. Furthermore if the adjustment of the armrest is to take place by using a window lifter drive provided with anti-nip protection, then where required an anti-nip protection can also be readily produced cost-effectively for the armrest adjustment using the same electronics. A need for this can arise in particular if when the armrest is lowered a gap is reduced (e.g. between the upper edge of a stowage compartment) where the dimensions could be suitable for nipping parts of the body.

[0051] FIGS. 2 to 5 show different modifications of the embodiment of FIGS. 1a to 1 d whereby the same reference numerals are used for those component parts and assemblies which coincide with those in FIGS. 1a to 1 d. For a more detailed explanation of these structural parts and groups, reference is made to the details given for FIGS. 1a to 1 d.

[0052] The diagrammatic view of FIG. 2 shows an adjusting mechanism 1 a, 1 b, 2′, 3 for an armrest which can correspond for example to the structural type according to FIGS. 1a to 1 d and which is mounted on a base plate 5 of a vehicle door (door module support). Two guide rails 6 a, 6 b of a cable window lifter extend on the side of the base plate 5 which is remote from the adjusting mechanism 1 a, 1 b, 2′, 3, and is provided for water-proof covering a large-surface assembly opening in the inner skin of a door box. The adjusting mechanism which is combined into one structural unit which can be prefitted and pre-checked on a base element 1 (see FIGS. 1a to 1 d) is hereby integrated into a larger door module which is mounted on a base plate 5.

[0053] According to the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 3 the edge areas of a plate-shaped base element 60 of the adjusting mechanism 1 a, 1 b, 2′, 3 itself are shaped into guide rails for a window lifter. The support plate 2′ of the armrest adjuster is guided through followers 3 on separate guide rails 1 a, 1 b which are fixed on the base element 60 of the adjusting mechanism.

[0054] An even higher degree of integration is achieved according to the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5. Both the guide rails 6 a, 6 b of a cable window lifter and also the guide rails 1 a, 1 b of the armrest adjuster are hereby integrated in one piece in a support 5′ which forms both the base element of the adjusting mechanism for an armrest and also the base plate of a larger door module (which comprises in addition a window lifter). The guide rails 1 a, 1 b, 6 a, 6 b are formed by curvatures protruding on alternate sides and having slots for receiving and guiding the followers 11, 61.

[0055] In order to be able to ensure an effective wet/dry space separation in a vehicle door using the support 5′, the slots of the guide rails have to be sealed. This can be achieved in simple manner through an adhesive strip 50 which is stuck onto the base surface of the support 5′ so that the area of the curvature is covered.

[0056] A common motor for both adjusting devices reduces the material expense further which saves weight and costs. According to the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 4 the axes of a gearing 70 for the window lifter and gearing 72 for the armrest adjustment are mounted coaxial. A motor 7 is coupled directly to the gearing 70 of the window lifter through which the adjusting force can be passed onto a cable drum 71 when an associated clutch 73 is not activated. When the clutch 73 is activated the force flow to the cable drum 71 is interrupted and instead is passed onto the gearing 72 for the armrest adjustment. Passing the adjusting force through the gearing 70 of the window lifter has the advantage that the cost for the reduction gearing 72 of the armrest adjustment can be considerably reduced. The adjusting speed of the armrest will generally be clearly 2 to 3 cm per second below the adjusting speed of the window pane.

[0057] According to the diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 5 the axes of the two gears 70 and 72 run parallel. The driving force of the motor is supplied by means of the clutch 73 to one or other of the adjusting devices according to requirements. A multiple use of gear stages is not provided here.

[0058]FIG. 6 shows an armrest 2 (arm support) which is suspended for swivel movement about an axis 220 and which can be adjusted manually independently by a handle part 2 a installed fixed in the door. A grab handle 20 which can swivel a restricted amount about a further axis 201 functions as the drive lever and is in active connection with a so-called step-switch mechanism (not shown) through the said axis 201. For the structure and function of step switch mechanisms reference is made for example to DE41 20617C2 and DE4321 335C2.

[0059] If no adjustment of the armrest is undertaken then the grab handle 20 is located in a neutral position (solid line) which is to be locked in order to prevent any undesired adjusting movements. In order to be able to make an adjustment to the incline or height of the armrest, first the unlocking button 200 has to be pressed and then the grab handle is swivelled down in order to lower the armrests or swivelled up in order to raise the armrest. A return spring (not shown) can ensure that the grab handle automatically returns to its neutral position in which it forms one uniform contour with the switch block 21 which supports the switches 210.

[0060] The diagrammatic illustration of FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 6 only in that the grip part 2 a and the armrest form one common adjustable unit.

[0061]FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through a fixing area between an armrest 2 and the associated support plate 2′ of the adjusting mechanism. According to this a spacer element in the form of a spacer sleeve 20 a is moulded in one piece on the armrest 2 and its free end is supported on a preferably spring-elastic further spacer element 21′ with fitted metal disc 210′ which in turn is mounted on the support plate 2′. The connecting force required to fix the armrest 2 on its support plate 2′ is applied by a threaded bolt 200 a which passes through the spacer sleeve 20 a, the further elastic spacer element 21′ and the support plate 2′ and clamps them together with an associated nut 200 b in force-locking connection. The elastic spacer element 21′ serves to provide a rattle-free spacing between the adjusting mechanism, more particularly the support plate 2′ of the armrest 2 and the inside door trim 9 and can where necessary also be formed in one piece on the support plate 2.

[0062] An inside door trim 9 which extends between the armrest 2 and the support plate 2′ which are moved in unison when adjusting the height of the armrest 2, has a slot 92 extending in the adjusting direction z along the common adjusting path of the armrest 2 whereby the spacer sleeve 20 a and the threaded bolt 200 a are guided in the slot in the adjusting direction z of the armrest 2 and the edge of the slot is provided with a frame which forms a slide element 90. In order to ensure smooth running, the spacer sleeve 20 a is designed so that the edge of the inner trim 9 or the slide element 90 fitted thereon does not become clamped between the fixing area of the armrest 2 and the elastic spacer element 21′ or support plate 2′.

[0063] Since the further spacer element 21′ is designed elastically as a spring element (e.g. a plate spring) or the like (e.g. as a rubber block) action on the spacer element 21′ by means of the threaded bolt 200 a through the spacer sleeve 20 a in a direction y across the adjusting direction z of the armrest 2 and across the vehicle longitudinal direction x can both ensure a sufficient spacing between the inside door trim 9 and the support plate 2′ and also provide the means for positioning the area of the armrest 2 which serves for fixing on the support plate 2′ in relation to the edge 90 of the slot 92 in the inner trim 9 as required for a specific type of door. On tightening up the screw bolt 200 a and the associated nut 200 b the spring elastic spacer element 21′ becomes more and more compressed through the action of the spacer sleeve 20 a into which forces are introduced by the nut 200 b through a washer 201 b until the armrest 2 and the support plate 2′ have reached the desired position in relation to the inside door trim 9, more particularly the play dy with which the inside trim 9 or its slide element 90 is guided between the armrest 2 and the support plate 2′ is set to a desired value which enables a sufficiently friction-free movement of the armrest 2 and support plate 2′ relative to the inside door trim along the adjusting direction z (see also FIG. 9a) and on the other hand the clearance is minimised to such an extent that in as much as the vehicle occupant is concerned there is as far as possible no sign of the gap between the armrest 2 and inside door trim 9. The play dy is shown in FIG. 8 by way of example between the elastic spacer sleeve 21′ or the metal disc 210 mounted thereon and the slide element 90 of the inside door trim 9. In actual fact dy represents the entire play with which the slide element 90 is mounted between the elastic spacer sleeve 21′ and the fixing area of the armrest 2. After adjusting the position of the arm rest 2 by compressing the elastic spacer element 21′ a small gap remains between the fixing area of the armrest 2 and the slide element 90, but which is not visible by the occupant (and also in FIG. 8), in order to avoid excessive friction when the armrest is displaced along the slot 92 in the adjusting direction.

[0064] Furthermore the spacer sleeve 20 a according to FIG. 9a has the cross-section of an oblong hole 20 a which extends in the longitudinal direction x of the vehicle and through which the threaded bolt 200 a is passed, and thus provides by means of a guide 92′ formed through the oblong hole the possibility of compensating tolerance between the armrest 2 and support plate 2′ (and thus also between the armrest 2 and inside door trim 9) by a predetermined amount 2*dx2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction x (driving direction). Furthermore the spacer sleeve is guided with a defined play 2*dx1 relative to the vehicle longitudinal direction x in the gap 90 of the inside door trim 9 so that the armrest 2 and the support plate 2′ can furthermore be adjusted jointly relative to the inside door trim in the vehicle longitudinal direction x.

[0065] The areas shaded in FIG. 9a represent the supporting faces 91 and 210′ between the slide 90 on the edge side and the arm rest 2 or spacer element 21′ on one side and between the spacer bush 20 a and spacer element 21′ on the other side.

[0066] As a rule for connecting the armrest 2 and support plate 2′ there are two fixing and guide areas provided one above the other along the guide slot 92 in the adjusting direction z. The lower of the two superposed fixing and guide areas which is generally out of sight for the vehicle occupant can be designed simpler to save costs, as shown in FIG. 10 together with the associated illustration in FIG. 9b. The guide of the armrest 2 in the guide slot 92 through the upper fixing area as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9a is as a rule so precise that there is no need for slide elements 90 and the spacer element 21′ in the lower fixing area for guiding the armrest in the guide slot 92. The spacer sleeve 20 a moulded in one piece on the armrest 2 is then supported directly on the support plate 2′ through an area 210″ shown shaded in FIG. 9b.

[0067]FIG. 11 shows a section through a fixing area between the inside door trim in the region of a card pocket 9′, 9″ and a fixing bracket 22′ angled out from the support plate 2′ of the armrest, see the perspective illustration of a section of the support plate 2′ in FIG. 12. Also here a screw connection 200′a, 200′b is provided with a spacer bush 20 a which is set in a comparatively larger opening of the inside trim in order to guarantee sufficient clearance for compensating tolerances between the inside trim 9 and the adjusting mechanism or its support plate 2′. 

1. Armrest assembly for a motor vehicle door, with an armrest (2) adjustable in position through a drive unit (4), and a transfer member (2′) to which the armrest (2) is connectable and which can be moved along an adjusting direction (z) of the armrest (2) when the drive unit (4) is activated, characterised in that the position of the armrest (2) in the vehicle door is adjustable in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and/or in a direction (y) vertical to the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and vertical to the adjusting direction (z) of the armrest (2).
 2. Armrest assembly according to claim 1 characterised in that the drive unit (4) and the transfer member (2′) are mounted as an adjusting mechanism on a common support (1) which is fixable on a supporting part (5) of a vehicle door.
 3. Armrest assembly according to claim 2 characterised in that the drive unit (4) and transfer member (2′) on the support (1) form one pre-checkable structural unit which when the drive unit (4) is activated generates an adjusting movement of the transfer member (2′).
 4. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the adjustment of the position of the armrest in the vehicle door is carried out so that the armrest (2) can be moved along its adjusting direction (z) without the armrest (2) causing the inside door trim (9) to bulge during the adjusting movement.
 5. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that in order to align the armrest (2) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) there is at least one guide (92, 92′) which preferably serves at the same time to guide the armrest (2) along the adjusting direction (z).
 6. Armrest assembly according to claim 5 characterised in that the armrest (2) engages with a guide element (20 a) in the guide (92, 92′).
 7. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the armrest (2) is connected through at least one connecting element (200 a, 200 b) to the transfer member (2′) which is movable in at least one guide (92, 92′) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x).
 8. Armrest assembly according to claim 7 characterised in that the connecting element (200 a, 200 b) extends in a spacer element (20 a) which is connected to the armrest (2) and is movable preferably together with the connecting element (200 a, 200 b) in the guide (92).
 9. Armrest assembly according to claim 8 characterised in that the spacer element (20 a) is moulded in one piece on the armrest (2).
 10. Armrest assembly according to claim 8 or 9 characterised in that the connecting element (200 a, 200 b) is movable in the spacer element (20 a) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x).
 11. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 5 to 10 characterised in that the edge of the guide (92) is provided with a guide frame (90).
 12. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 5 to 11 characterised in that the guide (90) is provided in an inside door trim (9).
 13. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 5 to 12 characterised in that the guide (90) extends between the transfer member (2′) and the armrest (2).
 14. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the transfer member (2′) on the one side and the armrest (2) on the other are mounted either side of an inside door trim (9) of the vehicle door.
 15. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that an elastic element (21′) serves to align the armrest (2) in the second direction (y) perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and perpendicular to the adjusting direction (z) of the armrest (2).
 16. Armrest assembly according to claim 15 characterized in that the elastic element (21′) is mounted between an inside door trim (9) on one side and the armrest (2) or transfer member (2′) on the other.
 17. Armrest assembly according to claim 15 or 16 characterised in that the distance between the armrest (2) and/or the transfer member (2′) on one side and the inside door trim (9) on the other is adjustable by deformation of the elastic element (21′).
 18. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 15 to 17 characterised in that the elastic element (21′) is deformed by actuating a connecting element (200 a, 200 b) through which the armrest (2) is connectable to the transfer member (2′).
 19. Armrest assembly according to claim 18 characterised in that the connecting element (200 a, 200 b) acts through a spacer element (20 a) on the elastic element (21′) which encompasses the connecting element (200 a, 200 b).
 20. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 2 to 19 characterised in that the support (1) has at least one guide rail (1 a, 1 b) on which the transfer member (2′) is guided.
 21. Armrest assembly according to claim 20 characterised in that slide means (3) are provided on the guide rail (1 a, 1 b) for guiding the transfer member (2′).
 22. Armrest assembly according to claim 20 or 21 characterised in that two guide rails (1 a, 1 b) are provided which each extend in the adjusting direction (z) of the armrest (2).
 23. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 2 to 22 characterised in that the support (1) has a mounting (1 c) for the drive unit (4).
 24. Armrest assembly according to claim 23 characterised in that the mounting (1 c) surrounds the drive unit (4) in part.
 25. Armrest assembly according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that a gearing (41, 42, 43) mounted on the output side of the drive unit (4) has at least one gear part (42) which is capable of moving in the adjusting direction (z) of the armrest (2).
 26. Armrest assembly according to claim 25 characterised in that the gearing part (42) is movable along a guide rail (1 a, 1 b).
 27. Armrest assembly according to claim 26 characterised in that the gearing part (42) is guided along the guide rail (1 a, 1 b) and is preferably mounted in the guide rail (1 a, 1 b).
 28. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 25 to 27 characterised in that fixing means (43) are provided on the gear part (42) for fixing the transfer member (2′).
 29. Armrest assembly according to one of claims 25 to 28 characterised in that the gearing (41, 42) is formed as a spindle or rack and pinion gearing.
 30. Method for mounting an armrest assembly having an adjustable armrest according to one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle door whereby the armrest (2) is adjusted relative to the inside door trim (9) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and/or in a second direction (y) vertical to the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) and vertical to the adjusting direction (z) of the armrest.
 31. Method according to claim 30 characterised in that the alignment of the armrest (2) in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) is carried out by means of a guide (92, 92′).
 32. Method according to claim 30 or 31 characterised in that the alignment of the armrest (2) in the second direction (y) is carried out through the deformation of an elastic element (21′). 